Small Things

This month I have been participating in doing the "Small Things" over at Rachel Anne's Home Sanctuary blog. (See the I'm a Company Girl button) Each day, Monday through Friday, there is a small thing to do. It may be something around the house, or something relational, or something special for yourself. I have to say, that my life is better because of it. It's not just folding another load of laundry or making another bed, or cooking another meal that builds a home sanctuary. It's a combination of love, laughter, and hard work that brings it all together. It's in the small things. It's in taking care of myself. It's in building relationships with those in my home and around me. It's in the way I decorate, and in the way I organize. What matters most to me though, is that God is in the center of it all. He is in every small thing.

I have really enjoyed sharing the journey with other women this month. It helps me to know that I am not in this alone. Thanks for the encouragement!

Helping Others

This morning I dropped my two oldest off at school. There is still a lot of snow and ice covering the field that they have to cross to get to their classrooms. My oldest son, J, (kindergarten) was going across the field when he noticed a little girl struggling on the ice. He immediately changed directions, picked up his pace, and went out to meet her and help her get safely to the blacktop. Now that's chivalry! They held hands, helping each other balance until they made it to safe ground. As I was standing there watching this happen, the girl's mother said "isn't that cute?" I nodded in agreement as we discussed the danger of the field and how the school should do something about it. Deep down inside I have to say I was thinking "That's my boy."

I try to teach my kids how important it is to help others. Later today I will tell him how proud I am of him for stopping to help that little girl. It's good to see that principle at work in his life.

Hospitality Matters

Whew! We got home a little while ago from having dinner at a friend's house. Two of our other dearest friends came along with their kids too. All told, there were 7 adults and 10 children. The oldest of the kids were the two 6 year old girls. What a party!

That's kind of the way I imagine it as described in the book of Acts 2:46-47 "Every day they continued to meet in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Back then, the people shared fellowship with each other all the time. They didn't wait for the right timing or for everyone's schedules to match up, or for a special occasion to gather, they just did it!

I'm so glad we all hung out tonight. It seems like we've been trying to get together forever now, but something has always come up or someone has been sick, or any number of other things that can happen when you're trying to get together with friends. I'm especially thankful for our friends that opened up their home to us and welcomed us in, arms opened wide. Hospitality is a gift from God. It is one that I want my children to learn and share. I want all who pass through my doors to feel welcome here. It is part of my goal in creating a "home sanctuary."

That's all for now. It's getting late and I need my sleep.

1 Peter 4:9-10 "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others..."

Taking Care of Things Matters

This morning I sent my six year old dd to school with $3.99 to pay for her torn up library book. I have heard of "the dog ate my homework" before, but "the dog ate my library book" is a new one to me. It's really no laughing matter. I explained to R (dd1) that she couldn't leave her things, and especially other people's property, lying around where our new puppy could get to them. She has a designated place for homework and things such as library books, but for some reason, the book got left out.

It was a good learning moment for all my kids. We have been trying to teach them to take care of not only their own personal property (i.e. toys, games, etc.) but also other people's things. This has definitely proved to be a challenge. It has been a little better since their dad let them each take $10 out of their piggy banks and purchase a PS2 game of their own. We showed them how to be sure to put away one game before putting in another. The rule is that if they don't put the other sibling's game away, they can't play for a day. They only get a certain amount of time playing anyway, so to have it taken away is a big bummer.

The training is slow going, but in the long run, it will be worth it to teach them to respect other people's property.

Matthew 25:23 "His Master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness'"

Laughing Matters

It's late on Sunday night but I just wanted to record a family moment so I wouldn't forget how important it is to laugh and love together. Tonight we all wrestled together in the living room. The kids love to wrestle with their dad, but tonight I decided to join in. They were all trying to hide behind me for protection, so I turned around and tickled until they squirmed away and caught them and tickled some more. It was a lot of fun. We laughed hard until bedtime. Then came the hugs, love, and prayers with bedtime routine. After a hard day, I would definitely have to agree that laughter truly is the best medicine.

Psalm 126:2 "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our toungues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations 'the Lord has done great things for them.' "

Three Messages that Matter

My husband gave me these lovely roses for Valentine's day. Not only did they look beautiful, but the aroma that they gave off filled my entire kitchen! I love flowers. Especially ones that smell so beautiful. The trouble with flowers though, is that they don't last forever.

Today I was looking at them, wondering what I could do to make them last a little longer. So I sat down at my dining room table with the scissors, a new sized vase, some paper towels, and my trash can. As I slowly unwrapped the petals of the seemingly dead roses, they began to take on new life. I could also tell which ones were still getting water, and which ones were being choked out by the other flowers in the bouquet.

Sitting there, at my dining room table, God whispered to my heart. "Beauty runs deep. It's what's on the inside that really matters to me." Then another message. "Don't let busyness (the other flowers) keep you from reaching my living water." He didn't stop there. "Be filled with the aroma of Christ" was His third message to my heart. God is so good. He speaks to me in the most amazing ways. Not only was my heart cheered, but now I have a brand new bouquet of flowers to brighten up my kitchen for another week!

1 Peter 3:3-4 "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment...Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

John 7:38 "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

2 Corinthians 2:14 "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

Creativity Matters

I've been following Rachel Anne's Small Things blog for a little over a month now. Today's small thing was to create a centerpiece for my table. Since I am creatively challenged, I had to think about this one all day. Finally, when I was looking at my overstock pantry shelves in the laundry room an idea struck me. There, sitting on the shelf, was a container of various types of candy. I only let my kids have candy every once in a while, so I thought, why not make a fun centerpiece of it to enjoy? I also rounded up a Veggie Tales placemat, and some cute plastic bugs to add some color and fun. It's no masterpiece, but its the thought and the creativity that matters. Plus, my kids love it! I'm so glad I didn't just count myself out for this one.